ONCE UPON A TIME...

(For a downloadable and printable version of this study in PDF format, click HERE. Unzipping program and the free Adobe Acrobat Reader required.)

• Read 1 Peter 2.9-10.
• Begin a prayer with the words from Revelation 4.11. Include prayer concerns from your group, and then close the prayer again using 4.11.

• What is something you haven’t done lately simply because you haven’t had enough time?
• I had the best time of my life when...
• One thing I want to do before I die is...

The first issue we must address is: How do you read the book of Revelation? How you answer two key questions will determine your interpretation:

• How is the text to be understood? As literal/actual or as non-literal/symbolic?
  • Literal(istic) / actual: This approach understands the words of the text literalistically unless there is some reason to take them metaphorically or allegorically. E.g., 1000 years means 1000 years, not an indication or symbol of completeness. The strength of this approach is its attention to the text itself. Its weakness is that it fails to appreciate context and intent of the text.
  • Non-literal / symbolic: This approach focuses on the meaning of the text and is interested in themes and plots. The words of the text function as pointers to the real communication that is intended. The strength of this approach is its attention to the whole document which is assumed to have coherence and consistency. The weakness of this approach is that it can sometimes produce highly subjective interpretations which are not controlled by the text.
• From our perspective, what is the main focus of Revelation (especially chapters 4-22)? Past, ongoing present, or future?
  • Past: That is, it refers mainly to the time when Revelation was written
  • Ongoing present: That is, its message is continually relevant to the reader’s present situation.
  • Future: That is, it refers to the end times (which, in the case of Revelation, is often considered to be quite near).
• Depending on the responses to these questions, some possible readings include:
  • Historical - In that time - This would be a strictly academic, historical, literary reading that understands Revelation simply as a first century piece of literature. Also in this category are Preterist interpretations which believe that most, if not all, end time events happened in the 1st century, especially in connection with the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 CE.
  • Allegorical (or Idealist) - Above time - This would be a reading of Revelation which appreciates its symbolic and mythic power. Revelation is a cosmic, epic drama of the contest between good and evil that transcends any time references.
  • Historist - Across time - Revelation is read as a timeline of human (or Church) history. The seven letters usually are taken to refer to seven ages or epochs. There is often an emphasis on establishing a date for the final judgment. Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons are among those who subscribe to this view.
  • Dispensationalist - At the end time - Revelation is understood to be a blueprint for the future. The end time is imminent. The most common view today is that there will be a rapture, followed by a seven year tribulation, then the 1000 year reign of Christ.
  • Realist - For all time - This view takes seriously the historical context within which Revelation was first written and for which it was first intended. Its message, however, is one that remains relevant for all generations as an encouragement to sustain the faith and claim the hope we have in Christ. We await God’s ultimate establishing of the Kingdom at the final resurrection and judgment.
• Click HERE for a diagram illustrating the above distinctions.
• For information on the authorship and dating of Revelation, see the Background Information guide. Also check this resource for a glossary of terms, a guide to the symbolism of Revelation, an outline of the book, and further resources.
• As you read Revelation 1.1-20, note all the things you see and hear.
• 1.1: Note to whom, for whom, by whom, and about whom is this "revelation."
• Use the table below to work through chapters 2-3 and the letters to the churches. Look at the Background Information sheet for more details on each city.

1. Where would you put yourself on the grid of how people read and understand Revelation? Is it okay for Christians to have such different views about Revelation? What are essential aspects of interpretation upon which you think Christians must agree?
2. If someone was worried about death or what will happen at the end, what sort of things would you tell them that would be good news for them?
3. Look at the outline of Revelation given on the Background Information sheet. What patterns do you notice? How does the form of the book support its function?
4. 1.1-3: Twice in these verses reference is made to how soon the matters described in this book will take place. How was this understood by the original recipients of this book? How do you understand it?
5. 1.9: John was on Patmos, apparently exiled, "because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus." What do you think he did that caused him to be exiled there? Have you ever been ‘cast out’ of society because of how you practiced your faith?
6. How do you picture Jesus? How does your picture compare with that given in Revelation 1.9-20? What do our pictures of Jesus tell us about ourselves? What should we know about Jesus from his portrayal in Revelation?
7. Look at the table you filled in listing the commendations, condemnations, and admonishments to the seven churches. What is the best complement given or virtue praised? What is the worst thing a church can do? What is the main thing the churches are encouraged to do?
8. With which of the seven churches is your church most like?
9. If we were to discover a letter from Christ to you personally, what commendations, condemnations, and encouragements do you think it would include?

• As part of your daily spiritual discipline, plan to read through the entire book of Revelation during the course of this study.
• A repeated refrain of the letters to the churches is to repent from wrongs and hold fast to the faith. Examine your own life. For what wrongs do you need to repent and amend your life? Be intentional about confessing your faith by word and deed.

PLEASE NOTE: All materials in these studies that are not otherwise attributed are © 1999 by Mark Vitalis Hoffman. Expressed permission is hereby granted to download and print these materials for your individual use only. If you wish to use any of these materials for a group or other purposes, please contact me (orders@crossmarks.com) for permissions. In all cases, include my copyright notice and email address with any versions of the material. Thank you.